GLAAD Finds All Major Social Media Platforms Failing to Protect LGBTQ+ Users for Second Consecutive Year

GLAAD, an advocacy group for LGBTQ+ rights, released its annual Social Media Safety Index on Thursday, which found that all five major social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter – received failing scores for the second consecutive year.

The report found that transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming users are subject to hate speech and harassment on social media. GLAAD criticized the platforms for failing to enforce the safeguarding of LGBTQ users, provide transparency in the use of LGBTQ-specific user data, and express commitments to protecting LGBTQ users.

Twitter received the lowest grade in its ability to protect LGBTQ+ users. GLAAD called it “the most dangerous platform for LGBTQ people” and the only one that saw its scores decline from last year. This could be due to the fact that Twitter’s communications staff was eradicated after Elon Musk took over the company, and inquiries to the press office have been answered only an automated reply of a poop emoji for months.

GLAAD’s scorecard also found that the platforms are not doing enough to keep their users safe. The organization noted that “the lack of safety and accountability on social media platforms continues to be a major issue for LGBTQ people.”

GLAAD is calling on the platforms to take meaningful action to protect LGBTQ+ users, including implementing anti-harassment policies, providing better transparency, and taking a public stance in support of LGBTQ+ rights. The organization also urged the platforms to “create a safe and inclusive online space for all users.”